New Mexico 2b Late Archery Deer

[djmcbeain]

My 3 sons and I drew NM 2b late/Jan archery tag and looking to chat with anyone on tactics, areas to check out and areas to check out. also would like to,know more about getting around in the uni, what’s acceptable and what’s off limits. We plan to be on the ground for 2 full weeks. The oldest two are hunting mule deer in Utah (general tag) and Colorado 57 so they are getting their hunting urges done, I’m in UK for work and my other son still thinks golf is better than hunting but we’ll convert him this year.

 

[RyanCmns]

There's a ton of pressure roads everywhere as long as you have 4wd you should be ok depending on weather might want a set of chains for the mud your best bet is getting away from roads

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[djmcbeain]

Thanks, can u use atv’s on the roads? Is that an option? We like getting away from the roads, hiking miles if necessary but are the roads very crisscrossed that if dry there will always be within sight? It looks from aerials their is a ton on gas rig roads, can you drive them? If not walk or atv them?


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[Lytro]

Getting away from the roads in 2b will be nearly impossible; it's a maze of oil roads. You can drive most of them, but a lot of the roads that branch off leading to the oil rigs have locked gates. However, I've had a lot of hunts across NM and rarely ever see anyone leave their vehicle. Even though you won't be able to get too far away from the roads, you will see a ton of deer. Especially after snowfall pushes them out of Southern Colorado and off of the reservation in January.

I rifle hunted 2b a couple years ago and only saw two people (hunting together) on foot during my 4 days before filling my tag. I had opportunities on good bucks everyday and even missed a likely 200" typical (still haunts me). I've shed hunted that unit the last couple years as well, and I've found a lot of my best deer sheds there. You will probably come across some during your hunt. I picked up nearly 20 sheds on that rifle hunt. I applied for this same tag this year and was unsuccessful in the draw.

 

[djmcbeain]

Good to know, do you need to have high lift kit and mud tires or will regular 4wD work lots of places with chains or are ruts too deep for std lift truck?



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[Pacific_Fork]

I picked up nearly 20 sheds on that rifle hunt.

dude say goodbye to yours and others shed hunting spot

 

[RyanCmns]

dude say goodbye to yours and others shed hunting spot

That unit gets hammered! I imagine alot of other places are the same way now that its the new cool thing to do I found a brown 6x on the side of the road out there last year

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[Lytro]

Yeah, the entire unit. Just blew my secret spot that no one else knew about until now

 

[Jhett_11]

There's a ton of pressure roads everywhere as long as you have 4wd you should be ok depending on weather might want a set of chains for the mud your best bet is getting away from roads

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This guy has no clue what he’s talking about.

 

[RyanCmns]

This guy has no clue what he’s talking about.

Be weary of this guy he will try to honey dick you he tells people he is a single mom and is not after your honey hole but he is

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[djmcbeain]

Thanks guys, sounds like barring any big rains you can get around and like everywhere else with some preparation and your willingness to use your legs can get you away from pressure.

Is it ok to camp anywhere that’s open to hunting because it looks like a long way from any hotel?


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[RyanCmns]

Thanks guys, sounds like barring any big rains you can get around and like everywhere else with some preparation and your willingness to use your legs can get you away from pressure.

Is it ok to camp anywhere that’s open to hunting because it looks like a long way from any hotel?


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Abe's is probably the closest hotel it's at the bottom of the dam. A camper would be ideal or a shelter with a good stove there's a campground at Simms marina or you can camp wherever really

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[djmcbeain]

Thanks, thinking of possibly getting a camper pulled in closer to the area we will hunt or wall tent, we are used to living off our backs so this will be luxury camping. Sounds like temp swings can get extreme so a variety of clothing gear will be needed.


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[Marine4life]

I had the same tag a few years ago and it snowed a couple feet a few days before the opener. It made it very difficult to get around and hard to find a place to pull off the roads. The temps were well below zero at night. They plow the roads for the gas trucks but those snowbanks freeze solid. Take a good, long tow rope/strap. I pulled a lot of guys out that had street tires and no chains. I also recommend you have a shovel and I wish I would have had snow shoes because walking in that crunch stuff was not easy.
You won’t have a problem finding deer but the big deer will stay out of site from the roads. Another option to stay is at the casino in Dulce. Was reasonable but a bit of a drive. However, when the temps were that cold it was worth it. The bigger bucks will be more active at the start of the season imo as the rut is about done.


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[djmcbeain]

Thanks, this helps. With trucks there is no reason you can’t be prepared with equipment. If you need it it’s a game changer if not, having it along isn’t a problem plenty of room in two trucks.

Should we be worried about parking a trailer ( in a spot we can get out of if it snows/rains heavy) and leaving it for the day while we hunt?


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[Marine4life]

If you camp down by the lake you should be fine but if you plan on finding a spot up higher it will be dependent on the snow. Where I was going in was off 64 near the reservation boarder. There was an outfitter setup not far in and they had a front end loader they used to clear a spot for a couple 5th wheels. I think that was the only campers I seen. Most people seemed to be road hunters. I would also recommend you talk to some of the gas guys. They see a lot of deer and might share some good info. Like i said, finding deer was the easy part. The hard part was killing them in that crusty snow. I filled my tag on a small buck but seen some beauties.


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[Nickofthewoods]

Almost ALL dirt roads there become impassable when saturated. Mancos Shale = Sticky Clay. It dries out quick too at least. Maintained campgrounds would be beneficial for many reasons if you go the camper route. 2B is not wilderness, you could probably be really happy by getting a hotel room in Ignacio and bypassing the overnight low temps of January.

 

[sundevils79]

Take a boat...